For an optimal navigation, the RFI website requires JavaScript to be enabled in your browser.
To take full advantage of multimedia content, you must have the Flash plugin installed in your browser.
To connect, you need to enable cookies in your browser settings.
For an optimal navigation, the RFI site is compatible with the following browsers: Internet Explorer 8 and above, Firefox 10 and +, Safari 3+, Chrome 17 and + etc.

Pyeongchang Olympics face third doping case

Ziga Jeglic celebrates after scoring the winning goal in a penalty shoot-out against Slovakia on SaturdayREUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon

Slovenian ice hockey player Ziga Jeglic left the Winter Olympic Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea, on Tuesday, after failing a drug test and admitting he neglected to seek approval for therapeutic use of a banned substance.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport said Jeglic, 29, tested positive for fenoterol, a banned substance that can be used to treat breathing difficulties.

Jeglic, who scored a tie-breaking penalty shot against Slovakia on Saturday, admitted taking the drug and agreed to leave the tournament before the 24-hour deadline to quit the Olympic Village.

“I take the mentioned drug due to asthma under medical advice,” the Slovenian said in a statement, adding he was tested on Friday.

“It has been prescribed to me after testing for respiratory problems in Slovakia in 2017. Unfortunately, I have forgotten to declare it as a therapeutic use exception.”

Slovenia went on to lose 2-1 to Norway on Tuesday, putting their hopes for a medal to an end.

“He’s a big part of our team,” Slovenia captain Jan Mursak said of Jeglic after the loss to Norway. “We were kind of disappointed and a little upset that he won't be able to play but we don't really know what the situation is.”

Krushelnitsky won a bronze medal competing as part of a delegation of individual Russian athletes who have passed international doping tests.

The International Olympic Committee had allowed for 169 athletes to compete as "Olympic Athletes from Russia" after banning the Russian national team for state-sponsored doping.

Krushelnitsky said Tuesday he has never knowingly taken any banned substances and would welcome an investigation.

“I, more than anyone else, am interested in an investigation as soon as possible to find out the reasons for what has happened,” Krushelnitsky said in a statement published on the website of Russia’s curling federation.

“Not once in the whole time that I have been in sport have I taken any banned substance or competed dishonestly in any way,” he said, describing the test result as “a shock”.